Washington Poison Center trims services due to state budget cuts

Washington Poison Center, which maintains a 24-hour poison information telephone hotline, will be curtailing some of its usual services because of state budget cuts.

The center is a non-profit set up by the Legislature in 1994 to run the hotline and to provide poison-prevention education materials and programs.

Historically the state provided 80 percent of the center’s budget, but that funding has been cut 37 percent as the state government copes with its revenue shortfall due to the recession.

The center says the loss of funds means callers will find that their calls will initially be answered by an electronic phone-tree system and that there may be longer wait times while on hold.

The center will also have to substantially reduce its poison prevention education and community outreach programs.

And, to answer question about animals, the center will now require a $30 credit card payment.

However, the center said it will continue to provide expert advice for free on other calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The staff will also continue to be specially trained pharmacists, nurses and poison specialists backed by a physician toxicologist, the center said.

To learn more:

• Visit the Washington Poison Center’s Web page.
• The telephone number for the center is: 1-800-222-1222